News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review ChemoCentryx‘s application requesting the approval of avacopan to treat ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), the company announced in a press release. The agency expects to announce its decision regarding approval on or before July 7, 2021.

The 20S-proteasome — the core of an enzyme complex responsible for eliminating unnecessary or damaged proteins in cells — may be a useful biomarker of disease activity in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study shows. The study, “Serum 20S proteasome levels are associated with…

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) carries high healthcare costs for therapies and hospitalizations to treat the disease itself and related infections, a study in Italy has found. The study, “Healthcare and economic burden of ANCA-associated vasculitis in Italy: an integrated analysis from clinical and administrative databases,” was published…

Muscle biopsies could be used to diagnose ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a new study indicates. The finding suggests that such biopsies are most informative in females or in people with certain inflammation-related conditions. The study, “Muscle biopsy in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis: diagnostic yield depends on anti-neutrophil…

The presence or absence of ANCA antibodies appears to influence which organs are affected by eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a rarer subtype of ANCA-associated vasculitis, a recent review of studies suggests. While EGPA patients carrying these antibodies will more likely develop nervous, renal, and skin manifestations…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases has launched a scholarship fund in the U.S. to support individuals with rare disorders who are pursuing personal goals through training and education. The initial phase of the five-year, $1-million #RAREis Scholarship Fund will include 32 scholarships — each totaling $5,000 —…

Extracellular vesicles, or the tiny membrane-bound particles that are released from cells, could be used as a blood biomarker of disease activity in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a new study suggests. The study, “Microparticles expressing myeloperoxidase as potential biomarkers in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides…

The complement system, a part of the immune system, is overactive in people with active ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but achieving remission appears to lower most of its components to normal levels, a study reports. The study, “The alternative complement pathway in ANCA‐associated vasculitis: further evidence…

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of a rare disease film festival originally slated for May, its organizers set out to find a new way to bring the films to an audience.  Co-founders Daniel DeFabio and Bo Bigelow, who are both fathers of children with…